Of course, I'm absolutely fascinated by this period, being of Italian birth planted in Britain! I find British history books will seldom admit Churchill admired Mussolini and fascism as that was what he wanted for Britain (God Forbid!) It is of course backed up by facts and records that the Germans rescued Mussolini from the Italian Partisans who were backed up by the US underground forces, who in fact wanted Mussolini, the US that is, in power under their control, which in fact would have saved his life, but he refused, or the Germans got there first.
Interesting though, that there was a point when Churchill seriously considered using Mussolini as a peace mediator between Germany and England because Halifax and Chamberlain, influenced by France, forcibly proposed this option to Churchill. However, after much mulling over, Churchill sent them to hell, in the cabinet meeting of May 28th 1940, in his usual flamboyant style as is reported in his memoirs, he says regarding the above decision:
"I was sure that every Minister was ready to be killed and have all his family and possessions destroyed, rather than give in."
More or less along the same lines, of the "Blood, sweat and tears" speech.
